Kansas City Royals vs Chicago White Sox Picks and Predictions May 6th 2025

Royals Stay Hot, Look to Extend Streak vs Sox

The Kansas City Royals are buzzing. Winners of 12 of their last 14 games, they’re hitting their stride — and the struggling Chicago White Sox just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

After a dominant shutout win in the series opener on Monday, the Royals have now won seven straight games against Chicago, and they’ll look to push that streak to eight Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium.

From explosive bats to lights-out pitching, Kansas City is playing some of the most balanced baseball in the majors right now.

Royals Rolling with Confidence

There’s no fluke in this hot streak. Kansas City’s 12-2 stretch includes five shutouts and a +29 run differential. That’s elite.

Monday’s win was a different flavor, though. Instead of mashing home runs like they did in Baltimore, the Royals played small ball — scoring three runs without the long ball. Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia each had two hits, an RBI, and two stolen bases.

“This is fun for us,” Garcia said. “We play hard.”

Garcia is batting .404 over the last 14 games and has been particularly lethal against the White Sox, hitting .346 with six steals in the last week alone.

Bobby Witt Jr. Keeps Raking

Witt is turning heads nationally with his current tear. He’s batting .400 during a 10-game home hitting streak and has gone 21-for-33 with 9 RBIs in his last nine games versus the White Sox. That’s MVP-type production.

For full player stats and performance trackers, visit the MLB Team Page.

Pitching Matchup: Lugo vs Burke

On the mound Tuesday, Kansas City’s Seth Lugo (3-3, 3.07 ERA) gets the ball, aiming to continue his dominance against the White Sox. He’ll face off against Sean Burke (2-4, 4.91 ERA), who’s coming off a strong outing of his own.

Seth Lugo: Sox Killer

Lugo has been lights-out every time he’s faced Chicago. In three career starts, he’s thrown 23 1/3 innings and given up just two runs total, winning all three games.

He’s also on a streak of three straight quality starts, allowing only five earned runs over his last 20 2/3 innings.

The right-hander kept rolling last Thursday, giving up two runs over six innings in an 8-2 win against Tampa Bay. The entire Royals pitching staff has stepped up lately, posting a 2.18 ERA over the last 14 games.

Check real-time odds and matchup projections at the MLB Odds Page.

Sean Burke: Quiet Momentum

Burke’s been hit or miss this season, but he’s coming off one of his better starts — 6 innings of two-hit ball in an 8-0 win over the Brewers. He struck out five and issued three walks.

“Just trying to get ahead of guys,” Burke said. “Make them hit the pitches I want them to hit.”

This will be Burke’s first time facing the Royals. The real question is: can he contain a lineup that’s currently firing on all cylinders?

Explore deeper performance breakdowns on the MLB Picks Page.

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Kansas City’s Formula: Aggressive, Efficient, Unified

It’s not just that the Royals are winning — it’s how they’re winning. They’re smart on the basepaths, aggressive at the plate, and their pitching staff is working efficiently.

Offensive Versatility

Whether it’s dropping 10 home runs in two games (like they did in Baltimore) or using steals and singles to manufacture runs, this offense can adapt. Garcia and Witt give them speed at the top, while the middle of the order has enough pop to change the game with one swing.

Lights-Out Bullpen

Kansas City’s bullpen has quietly been elite. On Monday, four relievers combined for four scoreless innings with no walks — that kind of clean relief work is the backbone of a winning team.

Looking for expert angles on bullpen reliability and game betting tips? Head over to the Expert Betting Guide.

White Sox Woes Continue

Chicago just can’t seem to escape their slump — especially against the Royals. They’ve lost 15 of their last 16 matchups against Kansas City and have been outscored 40-8 in the last eight road games in this series.

Silent Bats, Again

Monday’s shutout was their fourth of the season, and they managed just six hits while striking out 14 times. That kind of offensive blackout won’t fly, especially against a team playing with as much confidence as Kansas City.

Any Bright Spots?

Miguel Vargas has been the lone steady performer, batting .381 over his last 12 games. But Luis Robert Jr., expected to be a cornerstone piece, is 0-for-7 with three strikeouts against Lugo in his career.

Outfielder Andrew Benintendi (a former Royal) may miss a second straight game with calf tightness — another hit to a lineup already lacking production.

Series Outlook and Key Stats

The Royals have now:

• Won 7 straight games against the White Sox
• Outscored Chicago 60-31 over their last 14 games
• Posted 5 shutouts in that same span
• Allowed just 8 runs in their last 8 home games vs the White Sox

Kansas City is doing everything right — and if Burke can’t match Lugo pitch-for-pitch on Tuesday, this one might get out of hand fast.

FAQs

Why are the Royals so good against the White Sox?
Kansas City has better pitching depth, smarter base running, and is executing with runners in scoring position — all things Chicago has struggled with.

What makes Bobby Witt Jr. so dangerous right now?
He’s in the middle of a 10-game home hitting streak and is hitting .400 in that span. He’s also a nightmare on the bases with his speed.

Who’s pitching in Game 2 of the series?
Seth Lugo will start for the Royals. Sean Burke is on the mound for the White Sox.

How has Sean Burke looked recently?
He’s coming off a six-inning shutout performance vs Milwaukee, but consistency has been a challenge for him this season.

Is Andrew Benintendi playing tonight?
He’s still questionable due to calf tightness and may miss a second straight game.

Where can I follow Royals vs White Sox expert picks?
Head to the MLB Picks Page for the latest expert analysis.